IT DeskImphal, Dec 3: R.K. Shyamsunder, a retired govt. employee, now around 80 years old, narrated on how the old lady at Kwakeithel Heinoukhongnembi prepared Singju, on his first date with Jashumati, his wife.“Those days, there were no restaurants, dating with girl friends were done at the side of small “Lukmai” (small vendor run by old ladies) and Singju is the best item we enjoyed most”, Shyamsunder said recalling his youth days.Like Shyamsunder, Singju is associated to the love life of almost all boys and girls of his age. These days Singju has been replaced by chicken chowmen, momo, fried rice etc etc. which are not our indigenous food.Singju is a typical traditional snacks or dish. It is a mix-vegetable salad type items and in still popular among the people of the state, if not an item anymore for dating between boys and girls.

The taste of Singju from locality to locality is different. There were times, when youths roamed from place to place to taste the different variety of Singju.Days are gone and not many Lukmai run by old ladies are seen, as it has been replaced by mushrooming Restaurants where boys and girls can date. Because of the dying culture, youths of today may not be aware of the kind of Singju varieties. Thanks to an organisation called “Singju Yokhat Lup” an organisation formed by a group of likeminded youths which works for promotion of this Manipuri Traditional food item. This group is organizing a unique festival called “Singju Festival” at Lamdeng Makha Leikai ground in Lamshang Assembly constituency from December 28, 2017 to January 8, 2018. This is the 3rd time that the Festival is organised. In this 12 days festival, the organizing committee is inviting all special ‘Singju’ makers sure that any visitor can experience the taste of varieties of ‘Singju’.Convenor of the Festival committee, Rakesh Naorem in a press statement said that indigenous cultural heritage of Manipur like – Likol Sanaba, Arambai shen, Kang Exhibition etc. will also be showcase during the festival. Other than this the festival committee is also organising various educational related competition for school going children besides other entertainment programme.

IT NewsImphal, Dec 3: None revelation of the contents of Framework Agreement between the NSCN-IM and the Government of India and the recent development which signals a final settlement has raised apprehension about the fate of Manipur, prompting the Thangmeiband United Club (TUC) to stage a one protest calling total shut down in Thangmeiband Assembly Constituency on December 7.“We demand the government to reveal the content of the Framework Agreement signed between the NSCN-IM and the Government of India”, said Pratap Leishanthem, Vice president of the Thangmeiband United Club.The club is a conglomerate of 26 clubs of Thangmeiband assembly constituency. The total shut down will begin from 10 am of December 7 and will continue till 3 pm of the said, Pratap.

He further added that during the total shutdown, no vehicles will be allowed to travel in the roads of the assembly constituency, shops and all sort of business establishment including those run by government should shut down during the protest. Media and some essential and emergency service are however relaxed.Talking to reporters at Manipur Press Club today afternoon, Pratap said that the recent statement by the president of India, Ram Nath Kovind signaled a final agreement to be inked between the two parties.“We don’t have any opposition to the signing of the final agreement, what we worried is about the fate of Manipur. If nothing that will affect the state of Manipur is content in the Framework Agreement then why it is still not let known to the people? Why is it kept as secrete”, Pratap further said.During the protest all political parties are welcome to take part and expressed their stand on the issue.

IT NewsImphal, Dec 3: Proscribed group Revolutionary People’s Front today claims series of attack to Indian security force by its army wing PLA.
In a statement, the outfit said that yesterday attack to a group of Indian security force near IC Village in Kamjong district at around 3.30 am was conducted by cadres of Tactical Command of PLA. The statement further said that on November 13 the PLA attack a convoy of 18 Ar by blasting bomb at Maha Mani Village in Chandel ditrict, on November 15, the PLA attack to a convoy of 4 AR at Sajik Tampak.

IT NewsImphal, Dec 3: A committee called Peace and Declopment Co-ordinating Committee has threatened to close Imphal-Saikul road from December 16 if the concern government department fails to start construction of the road before December 15.Talking to media persons at Manipur press club, members of the committee highlighted the present deteriorated condition of the road stretch. General Secretary of the Committee, Thoudam Hemjit said that the Imphal- Saikul road which is also a state high has been left neglected for many years by the government.“On Ningol Chakkouba Festival this year a child died after she slipped from her mother’s arms after the Activa 2 wheeler vehicle her father rode, met an accident due to the dilapidated road condition’, Hemjit said. He added that there were many case of road accident because of the large potholes in this road stretch.The road which the committee is talking about is 40 Km long.
Hemjit said that last year, that is on May 24 2016, the then government had issued work order for construction of the road to four contractors – M/S Rangnamei, Shri K. Kalachand Singh, M/S Continent and L. Tarpon. However no works for repairing of the road stretch is seen taking up till today.He added that the committee had submitted memorandums to the concern ministerof the present government many times and even met the Chief Minister to address the grievances of the people on Peoples’ Day. During the meeting the Chief Minister assured to begin the construction works of the road stretch after the rainy season.“Rainy season is over now and it is yet to start again, no work is seen taken up to repair the road stretch”, Hemjit said. He appealed the government to cancel the work order from the four contractors for their negligence and start the construction work by any means before December 15.He said if the repairing works is not started before Decd. 15 then the road will be close from the following day, that is from December 16

Imphal, Dec 3: Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said that people centric, responsive and responsible governance is the hallmark of the new government. This was stated by him at the launching function of “Chief Minister-gi Shotharabasingi Tengbang”(CMST) and the observance of the International Day for Persons with Disability held at Indoor Stadium, Khuman Lampak, Imphal today.

Speaking as Chief Guest of the function, Chief Minister said that the new BJP-led government is committed to deliver human service to the people of the State and there is no such religion which is higher or above humanity or human service. He stated that the government is committed to work for the welfare of the people and would work with the aspirations of the people to deliver good governance and development in the State.

Chief Minister stated that the new government is trying to reduce the hill-valley gap to bring emotional integration in the State. It is easy to break the State or region into pieces with few words or agitation but it is difficult to integrate and unite the people, he added. The Chief Minister appreciated the decision taken by the civil societies that they would work together with the government to solve any issues happen in the State. Stating that the idea of disintegration is a past perspective, Chief Minister urged the people of the State to support the present government to bring integration in Manipur. The government doesn’t incline or belong to a particular section of society or community and doesn’t discriminate any community living in the State, he added.

On the occasion, Chief Minister said that persons with disabilities encounter many disadvantages in society and they are often subjected to stigma and discrimination and they have limited access to proper healthcare services, quality education, face fewer economic opportunities and are generally excluded from social processes. He stressed that “Chief Minister-gi Shotharabasingi Tengbang” is reflective of the firm commitment of this government to empower the Persons with disabilities and the marginalised. Such scheme would facilitate their vital and meaningful participation in contributing towards the creation of socio-economic wealth and overall welfare of the State, he added.

Mentioning about those parents who are living in the Old-aged homes, Chief Minister said that a certain amount as maintenance fund would be deducted from the Government employee who discriminate, give ill treatment to their parents and doesn’t allow their parents to live at their homes. He assured that the government is planning to introduce new schemes/initiatives for the children living in orphan homes soon.

Chief Minister appealed the officials of the Social welfare Department to work towards rendering human service and give priority to the persons with disability and old aged persons.

During the function, Deputy Chief Minister said that today is indeed a historic day and it is a path breaking moment for all of us to launch such unique scheme for the welfare of the persons with disabilities in the State. He said that the primary objective of the “CM gi Sotharabasingi Tengbang” is to provide quality of life to the persons with disabilities and to bring inclusive development in the State. He mentioned that why should we deny the rights and opportunities of persons with disabilities living in the State. He hoped that such scheme would be adopted and initiated in other States too. Without the love and support of the people, the government alone won’t be able to execute such huge task of providing better care to the persons with disabilities in the State, he added. He further said that collective effort is needed for successful implementation of the scheme.

Stating that India has one of the more progressive disability policy frameworks in the entire developing world, Minister for Social Welfare and Co-operation Smt. Nemcha Kipgen mentioned that there are certain challenges such as lack of awareness, challenges of inter-sectorial co-ordination etc. in proper implementing various social welfare schemes in the State. She assured that the present government under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh would overcome the challenges and hurdles in implementing policies for all the categories of differently-able and intellectually disable people so that they can become part and partial of the society.

The “CM gi Sotharabasingi Tengbang” scheme has been designed with five sub-schemes. Scheme includes Care-Giver allowances/Maintenance Grant to Persons with disability having a disability of 80% or more with would be provided with Rs. 1,500/- per month. The beneficiaries will also be covered under “SwavlambanHealth Insurance Scheme for PwD”, where the State Government will provide the mandatory beneficiary contribution of Rs. 366 per annum, which will provide a health insurance cover of Rs. 2 lakhs to four members of a family and OPD charges. The persons with disabilities in the age group of 19-59 yrs who can work would be provided with soft loans to take up economically viable employment opportunities and self-employment through Manipur Society for Skill Development (MSSD).

CM gi Sotharabasinggi Tengbang includes a Scholarship scheme to students with Disabilities. The rate of scholarships are: Rs 3,000/-per annum for Class I-V, Rs 4,000/-per annum for Class VI-VIII, Rs 6000/-per annum for Class IX-XII, Rs 8000/-per annum for Graduate & Above. Under the scheme, a free travel and concession to persons with disabilities are being given to them for free travelling in public transport under Manipur State Transport (MST). The Scheme also included a maintenance grant for homeless older persons with monetary support of Rs. 1,000 per month to the older persons in the age group of 60 years and above, who have been left homeless or sheltered in old age homes recognized by the department.

On the occasion, the Dignitaries handed over the monetary allowances, scholarships, free travel card and maintenance grant to various beneficiaries under the scheme. Around 900 beneficiaries would be provided Care Giver allowance, 140 beneficiaries would get Student scholarships, 286 beneficiaries would get maintenance grant, 700 beneficiaries would get free travel card and 5 beneficiaries would be given soft loans.

People with Disability honouredThoubal, Dec.3: Manipur today joined the world in observing the International Day of People with Disability. The day is observed at various places by different organisations. An organisation called Cradle For Disabled Union (CRAFDU) based at Hatta also observed the day at the Community Hall of Yairipok Tulihal Awang Leikai.
Special Investigation Team (SIT) Imphal, Inspector of Police Md. Riyajuddin, Zilla Parishad of Changamdabi Kh. Ruhina Banu, Pradhan of 20-Tulihal Gram Panchayat, Md. Abdul Khalique, Pradhan of Wangkhem gram panchayat, Md. Fazal Khan and Local educationist Md. Rafi Komol graced the occasion as dignitaries on the dais. Around 130 persons with disability were honoured by presenting gifts.

IT NewsImphal, Dec 3: Armed rebel group Maoist Communist Party, Manipur has boycotted the winter session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly which is scheduled to begin from December 20.In a press statement the outfit said that it will called 12 hours general strike on December 20 in all five districts of valley area from 5 am till 5 pm. Electricity, medicals, media and religious related activities will be relaxed during the genral strike said the statement.As per the statement sent through e-mail, the outfit said that the assembly is being boycotted and general strike is called on the day of the assembly session as the government fails to distribute the rice and oil to the people under the public distribution system.
On November 5, this year the outfit had called general strike against the failure to distribute peoples’ share under the PDS but till now those responsible in the hijacking of the peoples’ share have not been punished, the statement said.It further added that even the opposition MLAs are not voicing anything for the rights of the poor people. The CSOs and other groups too remain silent over this matter.The Manipur Maoist said that even as it knows that general strike will give burden to the poor working class, the organisation is left with no other choice other than calling the general strike.

IT NewsImphal, Dec 3: Lieutenant General Anthony Ningkhan Shimray took charge as the Commander-in-Chief of the Naga Army of the NSCN-IM yesterday. Commander-in-Chief of the Naga Army of the NSCN -IM is called as Longvibu by the outfit. A statement of the MIP, GPRN/NSCN-IM said that Lieutenant General Anthony Ningkhan Shimray succeeded Lieutenant General Phungthing Shimrang after his term completes on Novemebr 29th this year.
“ Vice-President of the GPRN acknowledged Lieutenant General Phungthing Shimrang for his diligent and faithful service rendered to the Naga nation as Longvibu until his service term duly completed on the 28th of November 2017. His outstanding meritorious service and lifelong sacrifice for the Naga Sacred cause has gained him national recognition, thereof, Lieut. Gen. (Retd.) Phungthing Shimrang is inducted as an Executive Member of the Steering Committee with immediate effect. The outgoing Longvibu emphasized the role of the Naga Army in the national political movement, terming the Army as the “backbone” of any political nation”, the statement said. “ On this day, the 2nd of Dec. 2017 while taking the charge of Longvibu, the successor pledged to honor Christ, the Naga Flag and the Naga Army Flag with his life. The charge was taken in prayer and jubilation at the General Head Quarter”, the statement said. The statement furher said that on 27 September 2010, Lieut. Gen. Ningkhan Shimray was kidnapped by the Indian Agency, NIA at Kathmandu while he was on his way from Bangkok to Delhi to attend the Indo-Naga Political Talk. On 3rd October 2010, he was produced in a court in Delhi by the NIA with a fabricated accusation and imprisoned him for more than 5 years until his released on August 2, 2016. He was the Political Commissar of the NSCN and the Advisor to the Ato Kilonser of the GPRN prior to his new appointment.

Measuring the heart confirms my ageThe weaving dreams of emotion awake me in silence,the sobbing of tears surrendered before the kingdom of crying. The memories of feelings grow too older to feel someone at heart.Writing of words fail to form a poem in the pages of heart.Night is haunting me
sucking the final breath of my heart.Tired dreams of pale heart flowa red sea in my heart. Fallen tears of eyes seek to rest on the womb for a while. Touching of breeze confirms me to feel at someone’s heart. Melting emotions receive your warmth to pour dreams. Let me feel myself in you.